Two organisers of a charity boxing night have decided to step outside their comfort zones and step into the ring on fight night.
Webb Ross lawyer Ryan Welsh and Whangarei policewoman Storm Sandilands are fronting up in the Night of the Champions Services Charity Boxing event which is set to roll at Forum North on October 13.
The money raised will go towards the Child Cancer Foundation and Debra New Zealand, which is a charity supporting families with children born with EpidermolysisBullosa, a rare disease where the skin fails to attach to the muscles, which results in blistering.
For both Mr Welsh and Ms Sandilands it's their first fight and both admit while training has been punishing it will all be worth it to help the children.
"Cancer touches everyone in some way. Everyone knows someone who has had to deal with it," he said.
Mr Welsh, a father of three, has taken a few knocks on the rugby field and on the basketball court but in training he's suffered two black eyes and dropped 6kg.
He's hoping his fitness gained through the sport of spearfishing will also help him keep a spring in his step through to the final round. While the physical demands have been tough it's also the mental side of the sport he is grappling with.
"It will be a public spectacle and you will rise and fall on your own efforts or a lucky punch from your opponent," Mr Welsh said.
For Ms Sandilands, a former Northland soccer and cricket representative, hitting someone else has been a challenge but she has put that into perspective.
"What we are putting ourselves through is nothing compared to what some of these kids and families are bravely going thorough."
The event is organised by Better World Charitable Trust, of which Mr Welsh is a member, and have been instrumental in reviving the event last year, after a five year lay off.
The beneficiaries of last years Shake Rattle and Roll Event were the Salvation Army, who were on the frontline after the devastating Earthquake in Christchurch, where a large number of Northland police, fire and other Government agencies were on the ground contributing to the relief effort, and Red Cross who were heavily involved in the relief effort for the Tsunami ravaged Japanese disaster.
Two previous boxing events have raised $26,000, which have contributed to the well being of our communities and organisers are hoping to raise the bar even higher.
The night is shaping up to eclipse last year's effort, with five of the fights, being contested by women. There is a large contingent of Mid North fighters on the card, who no doubt will add that aggressive X-Factor to the event.
Leading the charge of Mid North- based fighters, who have been training hard under the guidance of veteran boxing trainer Anthony Warren and The Mill Gym team are, Chris "The Canon" Quitta, Rachael McCarthy, Shannon Price, Tireece Tipoki, and the young and talented newcomer Piata Komene.
Well known and highly respected boxing trainer, Rusty Porter from Kerikeri will also be training one of his well prepared and conditioned heavy weights to fight Auckland based Police Constable, Takao "The Beast" Cocker, who tips the scales at a robust, 118kg.
Training out of the Russell Sports Club Boxing Club, is ex Moerewa girl, Pania Sigley who has been doing the hard yards under the guidance of Daryl Lim Yok as she prepares to fight newcomer Storm "Supercharge" Sandilands, who has also been training hard, with her support team at Fizeo Works Physiotherapy, on Dyer St.
"Each and every one of the fighters this year have trained extremely hard in the build up to this event, and will be looking forward to 'Laying down the Law' for the two wonderful organisations who will benefit from their determined efforts," event organiser Constable Atawhai Henare said. Tickets are selling fast through Ticketek for $35
The Card
1:Sponsored by Fizeo Works, Pania Sigley v Storm Sandilands
2: Sponsored by Syers Hamilton and Pool ltd, Tireece Tipoki v Raewyn Barry
3: Sponsored by Konica Minolta, Rachael McCarthy v Maria Clark
4: Sponsored by Kamo Denture Limited, Thomas Kingi v Troy Netzler
5:Sponsored by Spartan Motivate Inc, Ryan Banks v Melwayne Edwards
6: Sponsored by Puhirua Imaging, Sam Kemp v Shane Dunn
7: Sponsored by Stainless Steel Projects, Sione Vaka v Doug Te Puni
8: Sponsored by Global Diamonds, Piata Komene v Elyse Lewis
9: Sponsored by Mitre 10, Ringi Dalton v Daniel Lenihan
10: Sponsored by Positive Systems, Shannon Price v Herena Paurini
11. Sponsored by Webb Ross Lawyers, Gary Hayes v Ryan Welsh
12. Sponsored by NZ Boxer, Takao Cocker v Matt Iorangi
13. Sponsored by Jovial Judge, Chris Quitta v Soli Haalipiapi